1. 2nd Quarter Independent Study
The Air Car
2nd Quarter Independent Study

2. 1934

3. 1932 Helicron at Lane Motor Museum

4. ***

5. ATTENTION!!
It is strongly recommended each student obtain project information from the available handout (on my website) and NOT by word-of-mouth.
WRONG
INFO

6. GOAL 1:Using the instructions provided, design and build an air car that will travel 30 feet and pass through a designated target area.

8. Materials list Electric motor Propeller 9V battery clip
One wire lead with two alligator clips

9. Materials list Four wheels 1 3/8” diameter with 3/32” tread width
18” lengths of 1/8” diameter dowel rod.
Four straws 9/64” diameter X 5” length.

10. Supplies YOU need to bring in:
Appropriate size box to store your car and supplies in
A box for the body of your car. The box should be LESS THAN 8 inches on any given side.
9-volt batteries (2 is recommended)
DO NOT USE SUNBEAM BATTERIES!!!

11. The motor may be connected to a battery however you choose to do so.
Construction requirements
The car presented for the final design must include the electric motor, propeller, wheels and dowel rod (as axels) provided in class.
The motor may be connected to a battery however you choose to do so.
Any type of tape or glue may be used in the construction of the car.

12. The following items may NOT be used in the construction of the air car:
Legos, K’NEX or parts from any other construction sets.
Any parts from a car “kit” (e.g. CO2 car)
Any parts from any type of toy car or model car

13. Demonstrating Your Car
Five attempts to demonstrate your car.
Attempts 1- 3 are FREE.
Attempt 4 costs 5% of grade
10 points
Attempt 5 costs 10% of grade
20 points

14. Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3 Attempt 4 Attempt 5 100 points 90 points
Attempt 1
Attempt 2
Attempt 3
Attempt 4
Attempt 5
Air Car
travels 30 feet through 3 foot target area.
100 points
90 points
80 points
Air Car travels 30 feet through 6 foot target area.
travels 30 feet through 6 foot target area.
70 points
60 points
travels 30 feet.
50 points
travels 20 feet.
40 points
does not meet minimum performance or construction standards.
30 points

15. IMPORTANT NOTICE
If on the scheduled day the project is due a student is absent due to a field trip, in-school performance, out of school trip, etc. then the student must demonstrate the car for a final grade the day before.

16. IMPORTANT NOTICE
If a student is on a preplanned absence (i.e. vacation, surgery) the day the project is due then the car must be demonstrated the last day the student is in school before the absence begins.

17. IMPORTANT NOTICE
If an unplanned absence (i.e. illness) occurs on presentation day, the project will be presented on the students’ first day back from the absence. Students may need to make alternate transportation arrangements for presentation before or after school.

18. Goal #2: Students will complete an in-class journal of the engineering design process while completing the project.

19. Journal
Minimum of 4 practice trials with teacher’s signature and journal entry
Sketch of final design
Sequence of energy conversions (flow chart)

20. Practice trials
Must be witnessed by teacher and initialed on your paper BEFORE you start your next trial!
Journal of each trial will include the following:
What worked?
What didn’t work?
What are you going to change?

21. Sketch of final design Must include the following:
Include a side, top and bottom view of the car.
Measure and label the length, width, and height of the car in centimeters
Label ALL THE PARTS of the car in the sketch

22. Kinetic Heat There is friction between the ball and the surface.
Sound
The ball emits sound as it moves.
Potential
Gravitational
The ball starts at the top of the hill.
Kinetic
Mechanical
The ball begins rolling down the first hill.
Potential
Gravitational
The ball gains gravitational energy as it rolls up the smaller hill.
Kinetic
Mechanical
The ball begins rolling down the second hill.
Kinetic
Heat
There is friction between the ball and the surface.
Kinetic
Sound
The ball emits sound as it moves.

23. Extra credit options You may earn up to 5% extra credit.
Locating a recent scientific article (no more than 5 years old) and complete Science in the News write up. The article may be about any of the following: science of air cars or fan cars, Ions, Ionic Bonding, Balancing Equations, Classification of Matter, Chemical Reactions, Chemical or Physical Properties. (+5%)

24. Project Schedule Science Article and write up for 5% bonus
December 8th
All supplies needed for the project due and building starts
December 1st in class
Final trial due by
December 8th by 3 PM